Genre
- This film is a post-apocalyptic science-fiction.
- The audience's generic expectations of the genre are met by a realistic introduction which concerns an issue which is relevant to contemporary medical studies: Can cancer be cured?
Instead of zombies, the threat towards the characters are humans who have been infected by the failed vaccine for cancer. This gives the story a sense of verisimilitude, as it also explores the ethics of human medical science. The use of a staged news interview also reinforces the realism of the story.
- The film does not necessarily conform to the characteristics of the genre, as the presence of the infected is not immediately evident.
Narrative
- The audience is placed with the protagonist, Robert Neville, who has characteristics of the 'hard man' stereotype e.g: accustomed to violence, showing little fear.
- The protagonist is made to seem resourceful, as he drives an expensive car throughout the abandoned city and has possession of a large firearm. He also owns a dog, possibly to assist him in hunting deer and finding infected humans.
- The major themes are not revealed in the opening however, as the film progresses, it becomes evident that the main themes are human survival and the ethics of genetic engineering.
- Tension is created by the protagonist attempting to find and capture an infected human specimen in order to find a cure for the disease. This ultimately leads to the climax of the film, where the protagonist sacrifices himself for the good of man-kind.
Jake, I have a few ideas from reading your analysis.
ReplyDeleteOne of them is that we could perhaps use the idea of 'infected people' as opposed to zombies? It could add to the verisimilitude. What do you think?
I agree Joe, personally I find the idea of using 'infected people' more interesting and realistic. also the idea that the infected are not degenerate, but progressive provides the characters with a challenging antagonistic threat.
ReplyDeleteWe could develop on the antagonistic viewpoint of the 'infected people', with possibly displaying contrasting views of them. Not only fear of them but subtle speech from them could derive audience compassion.
ReplyDeleteYes, just a few lines of dialogue would really add to the compassion and emotion that the audience feel towards them. It would be an interesting contrast to the antagonistic, regressive way we are talking of portraying them.
ReplyDelete